Swing-bolster for railway-car trucks.



PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904.

S. A. BEMIS. SWING BOLSTER FOR RAILWAY CAR TRUCKS.

APPLIOATION FILED OUT. 5, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

3 SHEETS-8EEET 1.

PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904.

s. A. BEMIS. y SWING BOLSTER FOR RAILWAY GAR TRUCKS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 5. 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

m: Noam *JEFERS o0. Puoraumu, WAEHXNGYON. n. c.

No. 762,611. PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904.

SLA. BBMIS. SWING BOLSTBR FOR RAILWAY GAR TRUCKS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 5, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

Patented June 14, 1904.

SUMNER A. BEMIS, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO BEMIS CARTRUCK COMPANY, OF NEW YORK,

Tl'ON OF NEW JERSEY.

N. Y., CORPORA- SWlNG-BOLSTER FOR RAILWAY-CAR TRUCKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 762,611, dated. June14:, 1904.

Application filed October 5, 1903.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SUMNER A. Burns, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and a resident of Springfield, in the county of Hampden andState of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Swing- Bolsters for Railway-Car Trucks, of which thefollowingis a-full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in railway-car trucks, moreparticularly those for electric street-railway cars; and the inventionparticularly pertains to the construction and mounting transversely atthe central upper portion of the truck of what is termed theswingbolste1"-that is, the bolster on which the car-body has its directsupport and on which it may by reason of thecapabilities of theswing-bolster have a slight degree of transversal movement in unisonwith the swing-bolster and also have an up-and-down cushioned movement.

The invention consists in the means whereby the swing-bolster is carriedspring-supported from what is termed the transom-bolster, which is apart of the truck-frame structurein the form of an bpen transversegirder extending between and supported by the side frames of the truck.

The invention furthermore consists in means whereby the swing-bolster issusceptible of a desirable though slight degree of movement againstspring resistance between its ends and suitable members of thetransom-bolster in a direction longitudinal relatively to its ownlength, which is transversely of the truck as a whole; and the inventionmay be otherwise said to consist in constructions and combinations ofparts, all substantially as hereinafter pointed out in connection withthe accompanying drawings and set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a truck embodying variousimprovements, and particularly those comprising the novelties pertainingto the swing-bolster. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the truck. Fig. 3 isa vertical cross-section of the truck on the plane indicated by the line3 3, being centrally through Serial No. 175,889. (No model.)

the entire length of the swing-bolster and showing the supporting andend cushioning means therefor. Fig. 4 is a partial vertical sectionalview as taken on the line 4 t, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a perspective view ofthe swingbolstcr. Figs. 6 and 7 are views of the upper and lowercarrying-blocks therefor. Fig. 8. is a perspective view of an endportion of the swing-bolster as seen from the under side thereof. Fig. 9is a perspective view of an end portion of one of the duplicated membersof the transom-bolster. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one oftl1eblock-like members provided at each end of the transom-bolsters.Fig. 11 is a plan view at one end portion of the'transom-bolster,showing the arrangement relatively thereto in horizontal section of anend portion of the swing-bolster, Fig. 12 being a horizontal sectionalview through the same parts, these "iews showing a construction modifiedin detail from the construction for the corresponding purposeillustratedparticularly in Fig. 3. Y Similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all of the views.

1N ith reference to the drawings and referring to the truck generally, AA represent the journal-boxes supported in the usual manner on the endsof the car-wheel axles B, the forward and rear boxes at each side of thetruck supporting the equalizing-bars C and the side frames D, which areof hollow construction and accommodate therewithin such equalizingbars,the side frames being by the springs a supported above the tops of thejournal-boxes, such side frames D D sustaining all of the partspertaining to the truck-frame, while the equalizing-bars sustain,through the medium of the elliptic springs b 6 the transom-bolster E,the same having only an up-and -down movement on its springs and in turnsustaining the swing-bolster Gr, which is peculiarly supported on spiralsprings suspended from the transom-bolster and has in addition to itscushioned up-and-down movement a proper degree of endwisespring-resisted movement crosswise of the truck.

The transom bolster and swing bolster mounted thereon support the carand the load, a portion of the car-body being indicated at X in Fig. 3,having the depending circular casting m, fitted to swivel in theannularlyflanged wear-plate e, bolted at the top of the swing-bolster.

A car-truck as a whole is organized substantially as hereinabove brieflystated, wherein separate and independent sets of side members areprovided, those termed the equalizing-bars supporting, through thetransom and swing bolsters, the car and its load, while the other pairof side frames sustain the weight of all that more particularly pertainsto the truck-frame, brake, and other equipments and which side framesserve as restraining means for the up-and-down movements of thetransom-bolster, and swing-bolster saddled therein constitutes thesubject-matter of an application for Letters Patent of the United Statesfiled by me under date of October 31, 1903, Serial No. 179,316, and now,confining the further description to the novel features and arrangementsdirectly pertaining to the swingbolster, it will be perceived that thispart (7i is constructed in the form of a substantial castiron beam coredout from beneath for the avoidance of undue weight and properlyreinforced with webs and flanges. This bolster has end walls f and isprovided in both of its ends with perforations r 9 through its top wall,the portions of the bolster at which these perforations are providedbeing overlaid by the carrier-block H, the dimension of which fore andaft of the truck being greater than the width of the swing-bolster, soas to receive support at the notched portions it h thereof on theopposite parallel and separated members 10 10 of the transom-bolster E,the said members 1O 10 having the upstanding edge lugs 12 12, as seen inFig. 9, which serve asabutments for shifting or displacement of theupper carrierblock H relatively to the length of the transombolster, andof course it will be plain that the carrier block may prevent shiftingor displacement movement transversely of the length of thetransom-bolster by reason of the margins of the under notches it itengaging the upper edges of the transom-bolster members 10. The uppercarrier-block has perforations 15, in arrangement matching with those 7r of the swing-bolster; and it has horizontal channels 16 16 from sideto side thereof in lines intersecting the perforations 15, in whichchannels round horizontal bars 7 rest, the intermediate portions ofwhich penetrate and are encircled by the ring-formed upper ends ofvertical bars 7, which depend down through the perforations in the uppercarrierblock and in the swing-bolster and have at their ring-formedlower ends horizontal bars 21 similar to the upper ones 7? and whichsustain the lower carrier-block I, the same having underneath grooves 1717 for engagement over the horizontal bars 1' having the perforations 1818 for the accommodation of the vertical bars] and are provided withupstanding cheeks 2O 20, which constitute guide members by theirsidewise engagements with the depending webs f f of the swing-bolster.

The comparatively massive spiral springs K rest on the lowercarrier-block and sustain the swing-bolster for a vertical cushionedmovement relatively to the transom-bolster E, by which thecarrier-blocks and supportingsprings are primarily sustained.

Springs J are interposed between the ends of the swing-bolster and thehollow block members at the ends of the transom-bolster, these springs,as shown in Fig; 3, being spiral springs encircling tubular hub-likefittings 32, projecting longitudinally from the ends of theswing-bolster and setting into depression-seats 33 in the inner ends ofthe blocks 30, and bolts 34 are extended horizontally through thetransom-bolster part 30 centrally within the springs andinto the part32, said bolts receiving nuts 35 at their outer ends, screwed up againstthe ends of the part 30.

In Figs. 11 and 12 a preferred mode of application of the endcushioning-springs J for the swing bolster is illustrated. block 30 ofthe transom-bolster is provided with a horizontal bore therethrough inthe central longitudinal line of the swing-bolster. A vertical aperture42 is provided intermediately of the block to intersect the bore 40, inwhich is received a removable cast-iron plate or block 43, having atapped hole therethrough at its lower extremity, which is across thebore 40. In the inner portion of the bore 40 is a headed. plug 44, thehead of which is borne against by a screw 45, which screw engagesthrough the plate 43, the outer end portion of this screw next withinits head having rotative bearing in an annular bushing 46, fitted in theouter orifice of the bore 40. The spring J at one end portion thereofencircles the shank of the screw-plug 44 and has an abutment against theflange-head of such plug or against a washer 47 next thereto, while theopposite end of the spring is in bearing against the end of theswing-bolster. The spring J of about the right length is put in place,as shown, and placed under the required normal compression by setting upthe screw 45. After awhile when it may be desired to further take up thespring the screw is removed, the plate 43 is also lifted from itssocket, the plug 44 is withdrawn, and one or more washers, such as 47,placed on the shank of the plug next to the head, and the parts arereplaced and set up by turning the screw 45 inwardly until its head isbrought to bind against the outer face of the bushing 46.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

1. In a car-truck, the combination with a transverse support comprisingopposite side The end 7 tion thereof supported by said springs.

2. In a car-truck, the combination with a transverse support comprisingopposite side members having saddle-blocks supported upon the endportions thereof, and having portions constituting end walls for saidsupport, of depending bars supported for swinging movements relativelyto the saddle-blocks and sustaining lower carrier-blocks havingbolstersprings, a swing-bolster located between the separated members ofsaid transverse support resting on the bolster-springs, and springsbetween the end walls of the transverse support and the ends of theswing-bolster.

3. In a car-truck, the combination with a horizontal transverse supportcomprising separated members, and saddle-blocks supported at the upperedges of the end portions of said transverse support and extendingacross from one to the other of its separated members, and each having avertical perforation through it, a vertical bar sustained for a rockingsupport on each carrier-block, and depending through the perforationtherein and supporting, by its lower portion, a lower carrier-block,springs sustained by. and extending above, the lower carrier blocks, andthe swing-bolster located between the separated members of saidtransverse support and resting on said springs.

4. In a car-truck, the combination with a horizontal transverse supportcomprising separated members, and saddle-blocks supported at the upperedges of the end portions of said transverse support and extendingacross from one to the other of its separated members, and each having avertical hole therethrough and a horizontal channel 16 intersecting thehole, of a vertical bar depending through the hole in each saddle-blockand having a horizontal cross-bar at its upper end lying in said channel16, and lower carrier-blocks sustained by the depending bars below thesaddle-blocks and having bolster-springs supported thereby and theswing-bolster resting on said springs.

5. In a car-truck, the combination with a horizontal transverse supportcomprising separated members and saddle-blocks supported at the upperedges of the end portions of said transverse support, and extendingacross from one to the other of its separated members and each having avertical hole therethrough and a horizontal channel intersecting thehole, a vertical bar depending through the hole in each saddle block andhaving a horizontal cross-bar at its upper'end lying in said channel andhaving a horizontal bar at its lower end, of lower carrier-blocks havingvertical holes therethrough and supported on the lower horizontalmembers of said depending bar, bolster-springs mounted on said lowercarrying-blocks and the swing-bolster resting on said springs.

6. In a car-truck, the combination with a horizontal transversesnpportcomprising separated members and having saddle-blocks supportedat the upper edges of the end portion of the members of said transversesupport, and extending across from one to the other thereof, andprovided with suspension-bars which, at their upper ends, are sustainedby the saddleblock and have swinging movement transversely of the truck,of lower carrying-blocks sustained by said depending bars and havingupstanding members 20 20, springs mounted on the lower carryingeblocksand the swingbolster resting on said springs and having dependingmembers f and f with which said carrying members 20 have guidingengagements.

7. In a car truck, the combination with transverse horizontal transombolster comprising separated parallel side members 10 10, having nearthe end portions thereof the upstanding abutment-lugs 12 12, ofsaddle-blocks resting on, and extending between, the transom-bolstermembers and. edgewise engaged between said lugs 12 12 and having thevertical holes 15 15 and the horizontal channel 16 16 in linesintersecting said holes, the vertical bars 7 7 having upper crossmembers a which rest in said channels for rocking movements therein, andhaving at their lower ends the transverse members 41*, the lowercarrierblocks having the vertical holes therein through which saidvertical bars pass and having supports on the said members 2 spiralsprings supported on the lower carrier-block and encircling intermediateportions ofv said bars and the swing-bolster located within the transombolster and supported by said spiral springs.

8. In a car-truck, the combination with the transom-bolster comprisingthe separated horizontal transverse members 10 10, of saddleblockshaving the under grooves It I in parallelism corresponding to theseparation of the transom-bolster members and engaging at said groovedportions over the upper edges of said members, and said saddle-blockhaving engaged therewith, and depending therebelow.

for swinging movements transversely of the truck, the bars jj, the lowercarrier-blocks sustained by said depending swinging bars, spiral springsmounted on the latter and the swing-bolster resting on said springs andlocated between the members of the transombolster.

9. For a railway-car truck a saddle-block having parallel bottom groovesit h relatively to the transverse line of the truck having the verticalholes therethrough and having within its top the horizontal channels 1616 in lines relatively from front to rear of the truck and intersectingsaid vertical holes, substantially as shown.

10. For a car-truck of the character indicated, a lower carrier-blockhaving' vertical holes 18 18 therethrough, horizontal notches orchannels in its bottom, in lines intersecting said holes and havingupstanding opposite cheeks 2O 20, substantially as shown.

11. For a car-truck of the character indicated, a swing-bolstercomprising opposite depending side members, and having depending endmembers f and the depending members f inwardly removed from the endmembers f, the vertical faces of said members 7" andf constituting lowercarrier-block guides, substantially as set forth. v

12. In a railway-car truck, the combination with a transom-bolstercomprising separated horizontal transverse members having at each end auniting and intermediately disposed member provided with a horizontalbore therethrough in the line of the length of said bolster and havingintermediately of said uniting member a vertical socket intersecting thehorizontal bore, of a removable plate in the vertical socket having athreaded hole therethrough, a screw entering the outer end of the borethreading through and beyond said plate, a plug located in the innerportion of said bore, a spring surrounding the plug and inwardlyextending beyond the inner face of said uniting member, and aswing-bolster endwise bearing against the springs.

13. 1n a railway-car truck, the combination with the transom-bolstercomprising the separated parallel transverse side members and a unitingend block 30 having the horizontal bore therethrough and having avertical socket intersecting said bore, of the removable plate 43fitting in said socket and having a threaded hole therethrough axiallycoincident with said bore, a bushing fitted in the outer orifice of thebore, a headed screw, the shank of which threads through the threadedhole in said plate and the head of which may be brought to bearingagainst the outer end of the annular bushing, a headed plug 44 locatedin the inner portion of the bore, headwise against the adjacent end ofthe screw, a spiral spring surrounding the shank of the plug, endwiseresting against the head of the plug and inwardly extending beyond theinner face of the uniting-block 30, and the swingbolsterspring-sustained by and located within the transom-bolster and capableof a movement relatively to the length of itself and of thetransom-bolster and in endwise bearing against said spiral spring,substantially as described.

Signed by me at Springfield, Massachusetts, in presence of twosubscribing witnesses, this 25th day of September, 1903.

SUMNER A. BEMIS.

Witnesses:

. A. V. LEAHY,

WM. S. BELLOWS.

